We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on November 24, 2020.
Reading To the leader: on Lilies, a Covenant. Of Asaph. A Psalm. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh. Stir up your might, and come to save us! Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved. O Lord God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers? You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears to drink in full measure. You make us the scorn of our neighbours; our enemies laugh among themselves. Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved. But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand, the one whom you made strong for yourself. Then we will never turn back from you; give us life, and we will call on your name. Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved. (Psalm 80: 1-7, 17-19) Reflection In this season of Advent, we await Christ’s coming, both as a baby and for his reign forever. We also look to where we see Christ here and now. Imagine what it would have been like to live in the dark times when you knew the Messiah would come but you were feeling hopeless. As I read this Psalm today, I can sense that kind of hopelessness. Where to you find hope? In these dark days of COVID-19, we need to look for the bright spots that bring us joy. What a great time this Advent season as we look at the hope, peace, joy, and love of the world- Christ. We know he came as a baby, will come again, and is with us right now. Where do you see him? --Chad Hershberger Prayer Jesus- we our hope, our light, our peace, our love, our joy. Amen. Our devotions are based on this Sunday’s Revised Common Lectionary (RCL). The RCL is a three-year cycle of readings telling the story of our Christian faith and corresponding to the season church calendar. On any given Sunday, we are hearing and praying and examining the same Scripture with millions of Christians around the world. In our current Year C, the Old Testament readings progress through the Prophets and have the theme of the day that it is connected to the Gospel reading. The Psalm, a song the congregation sings in response to the Old Testament reading, most often corresponds to the theme of the Hebrew Lessons and/or that of the Gospel Lesson. The lesson from the Epistles or from Acts typifies the church’s focus on the meaning of Christ for today. The Gospel lesson is connected to the season of the Church Year. This year, our gospel readings are from Luke, who writes that Jesus is the universal Savior and the perfect Son of Man. In the current season of Advent, we long for Christ’s coming: Christ coming as a baby; Christ coming again; Christ in our lives today.
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